Clock escapement



W. J. FAWVER.

CLOCK ESCAPEMENT.

APPLICATION FILED 02031.1921.

1 {123,41 0: Patented July 18, 1922.

A? @AZQ /5 5' INVENTOR T NEY NITNESSES: A TOR rareur OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. FAWVER, OF PATESVILLE, KENTUCKY,

CLOCK ESCAPEMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 18, 1922.

Applicationfiled Deccinber 31, 1921. Serial No. 526,312.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, XVILLIAM J. FAwvnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Patesville, in the county of Hancock and State of Kentucky, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Clock Escapements, and of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to clocks, particularly to those of the pendulum type. and has for itsobject the provision of a novel escapement which is of peculiar construction whereby the pendulum may be always main tained in position so as to insure proper running of the clock even though the :supporting shelf, table or 'other device or article upon which the clock is disposed may be extremely uneven so that the clock does not set level.

An important and more specific object is the provisionof a novel spring clutch device forming part of the mechanism" whereby when the pendulum is given a somewhat more 'violent swing than usual the clutch de vice will be automatically released tempo rarily to permit the parts to adjust themselves, the arrangement beingsuch that when the pendulum reduces its speed to normal the clutch will again grip and have its hold ing action for insuring operation of the escapement.

An additional object is the provision of mechanism of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture and installation, highly eiiicient in use, positive in action, durable in service and general improvement in the art.

WVith the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the details of construction to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is an elevation of a clock mechanism showing my device associated therewith.-

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation of the essential parts of my device.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through In carrying out my invention I make use of novel connecting spring clutch mechanism to be hereinafter described. This clutch mechanism comprises a drum 10 which is of frusto-conical formation and which is formed with an outwardly extending peripheral flange 11 with which is connected the verge wire 12 which has a laterally extending insert terminating in a hook 14 which engages the pendulum suspension means'E.

Encircling the drum 10 is a split spring ring 15'which is formed at one portion with an extension ltlconnected with the verge as indicated at 17 Opposite the extension 16 the ring 15 is split as shown and is formed with two lugs 18 which are pivotally connected at 19 with the inner corners 20 of a pair of peculiarly shaped levers 21 which have their adjacent edges formed-withinclined extensions 2:2 which normally contact, and which have their lower ends formed with laterally directed extensions 23.

Suitably mounted upon the clockmovement or frame are banking pins 2d which are adjustable and which are angular in shape. The upper ends of these banking pins are provided with studs 25 which are engageable by the levers 21 as will be hereinafter explained. The pendulum suspension means E is connected with one of the banking pins as indicated at 26.

.tlssuming that the clock has been provided with the above described mechanism, the operation is as follows;

The spring clutch 15 fits upon the drum 10 and is friction tight. The other parts of the mechanism are arranged as above described and as clearly illustrated in the drawings. When the clock is placed upon any shelf, if the, clock does not have the proper position, that is to say if it is not level and consequently will. not run, it is merely necessary that the operator give the pendulum B a good swing, that is to say a swing of greater violence than occurs during the ordinary running of the clock. WVhen this is done the levers 21 will strike against the studs 25 on the banking pins :24, thereby causing the spring ring 15 to release its grip on. the drum 1O sufliciently that the drum may conform to the position by the pendulum rod E. The studs are set far enough out on each side so that the levers 21 dont strike them when the clock resumes its normal pendulum action. As

soon as the parts automatically adjust themselves it is of course apparent that the spring ring 15 will. again grip the drum. ll) and maintain the proper adjustment while the clock is in operation.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a novel escapement mechanism, that is to say a pendulum mounting in association with an escapement of a clock whereby the clock may be made to run properly regardless of whether it be standing upon a level shelf or other sup port or upon an uneven support. The action of adjustment is entirely automatic and is accomplished merely by giving the pendulum bar an unusually hard swing so as to cause the automatic release and subsequent regripping of the spring clutch mechanism. Owing to the simplicity of the construction it is believed that there is very little to get out of order and that the device should consequently have a long life and efiiciently perform all the functions for which it is intended.

lVhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is of course to be readily understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In combination with a pendulum an esoapement wheel and. a verge associated with the latter, a clutch mechanism between the pendulum rod and the verge comprising a drum, a split ring frictionally engaging about the drum and connected with the verge, a pair of levers connected with the split ring at opposite sides of the split therein and having their inner edges formed with normally engaging projections, the lower ends of said levers being formed with outward projections, a pair of banking pins mounted upon the clock frame and carrying studs engageable by said levers, said pendulum rod being associated with the verge and verge Wire.

2. In combination with an escapement wheel, verge associated therewith and the pendulum of a clock mechanism; an automatically self adjusting clutch mechanism between the pendulum and the verge comprising a drum of substantially frustoconical formation carrying a peripheral flange, a verge wire connected with said flange terminating in a hook, a split ring frictionally encircling the drum and formed with an extension connected with the verge, said ring being formed with lugs at opposite sides of the split, a pair of levers pivotally connected with said lugs and having their confronting edges formed with engaging projections, said levers having laterally extending lower ends, a pair of banking pin; mounted upon. the movement frame and ca rrying studs engageable by the lateral extensions of the levers, the suspension means of the pendulum being associated with the verge and verge wire.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature IVILLIAM J. FAlVVER. 

